the Star course

A series of talks and active discussions for people who want to explore the Christian faith and make their own decisions

On this site you will find:

Debate: are the Philosophical & Scientific Arguments for the Existence of God almost overwhelming?
Information about the Star Course
Talks from Star
The Bishop of London's amazing discourse on the Trinity
A homepage about Dr John Polkinghorne FRS
Draft article for The Times - Does Christianity make sense in a scientific age?
The Debate on God and Science following from this.

Basic Questions:

What is the point of life?
What happens when we die?
What relevance does Jesus have for our lives today?
How do we deal with guilt?

If you would like to explore any of these questions, then Star is for you.

Feel free use this animated GIF to link to Star. (this page last updated 1 Sept 2003)

These pages give information about:

What is Star?

Who is it for?

What happens at Star?

What does it Cost?

What do people say about it?

Latest Developments

Bishops Richard Chartres addressed the Star Weekends on 28th November in London.
His amazing address on the Holy Trinity is now on the web.
Basic Principles for Reading the Bible is now on the web. It addresses the question "what about the inconsistencies and 'un-scientific' bits in the Bible"
So is the talk on Faith and the Bible - What Happened Next?
We also have a draft Article for The Times on Scientific & Philosophical Arguments for the existence of God. and the debate that followed
Some information about the great writer and thinker on science and religion, John Polkinghorne
A page on Leading Scientists on God & Science
A page on Post-Secular Philosophy
The talk Is the Church a Hippopotamus?

Basics of Running a Course

How can I get the Talks?

Other Information

There was a successful Star Mini-conference 28th April 1997, London.

What is Star?

Star is for:

Sharing - we begin with a shared meal and we continue sharing points of view and experiences. There is plenty of fun and laughter - it is great opportunity to get to know each other and make new friends.

Talks in which the Christian faith is clearly explained. Star is devised and run by lay people, but each talk has been 'reviewed' by clergy including three Bishops: David Hope (Now Archbishop of York) Geoffrey Rowell (Basingstoke) and Lindsay Urwin (Horsham).

Active discussion after each talk. No question is too simple or too hostile. Everyone's point of view is respected.

Reflection. The talks are spread over 9 weeks, everyone has time to think. There is no pressure on people to come to more than one talk: the emphasis is on people making their own minds up about the Christian faith.

What is Star? What do people say about it? What are the Talks? Other Interesting Links

Top How can I get the Talks? Other Information

Who is Star For?

Star is for everyone! It particularly caters for:

People interested in investigating Christianity.
Newcomers to the Church.
New Christians.
Couples preparing for marriage.
Those who want to brush up on the basics.

What is Star?	What do people say about it?	What are the Talks?
Top	How can I get the Talks?	Other Information

What happens at Star?

A course typically meets on the same weekday evening for several weeks. People begin with a shared meal, the talk starts about half an hour later, and discussion finishes sharply at an agreed time (say 9:30). The talks are:

0	Introduction - What do we want to cover? This is an opportunity for people to make sure that their main concerns are addressed.
1	Who is Jesus? Did he really live and die? Who did he claim to be, and who is he really? Talks 1-3 give time for these issues to be explored.
2	What about the cross? How does Jesus' death fit in?
3	*Who do you* say that I am?** The key question throughout the ages.
4	Faith and the Bible. What is faith, and why is the Bible significant?
5	Prayer What does it mean? how can we pray?
6	*Father Son and* Holy Spirit? - These 3 talks are usually given on an away weekend. How can intelligent modern people talk about 'three Persons in one God?' See Bp Richard's talk** at one of them
7	How can we relate to God?
8	How can I be filled with the Spirit?
9	What about the Church?
10	Spiritual Growth What does it mean and how can we achieve it?

Talks 6, 7 & 8 are usually given as a 'Weekend' which runs from Friday evening to Saturday evening and is usually hosted at a church. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Trinity and to get to know each other better. Often a number of other parishes will join this 'weekend' and we try to arrange for a Bishop to give at least one of the talks.

What is Star?	What do people say about it?	Leading Scientists on God & Science
Top	How can I get the Talks?	Other Information

What does it cost?

There is no charge for attending the Star Course but a donation towards costs is appreciated.

What is Star? What do people say about it? What are the Talks?

Who is it for? How can I get the Talks? Top

What people say about Star

Bishops

It is good to hear that the Star Courses are progressing as well as they are - Archbishop David Hope
I hope & pray that your Star Trek will lead you, like the wise men of old, to deeper worship of God's gift to the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. - Bp Richard Chartres
The whole Star Course enterprise is something which is clearly being blessed ... and I wish the whole enterprise further blessings. - Bp Michael Marshall
This course provides parishes with the basic ingredients of the Christian Faith. Enhancing mission and encouraging spiritually is a vital part of the Star Course and I warmly commend it - Bp Michael Colclough
The more I reflect on it, the more I think the development of the Star Course is something greatly to be encouraged. Bp Geoffrey Rowell

Participants

Typical reactions from participants, asked if they would recommend it to others, are:

I would recommend it for 'helpers' as well as 'learners' because of a good mixture of informality and sound teaching.
Absolutely. The course is a wonderful way to meet nice people. I always felt a certain joyous feeling at the end of the night & of course a great way to learn something about Christianity.
Yes. It's fun, it's social, it's relaxing, absorbing, informative, invigorating & it's a commitment which can become a way of life!
Yes Definitely. Because there was no pressure to believe, belong. There was a great sense of freedom - to investigate, to question, to consider. ... the information was clear & easy to understand.
Yes, definitely - because of the clarity of content for any person wishing to explore, question or ascertain the Christian faith.
Most certainly. I only wish it had happened years ago.
I already do.

What is Star?	Top	What are the Talks?
Who is it for?	How can I get the Talks?	Sources on the NT
Debate on God & Science	Starcourse Index Page

How can I get the talks?

Talks 1, 2, 4, 5 8, 9 and 10 are on the web. The complete set of talks can be downloaded freely under copyleft terms.

the Star course

Basic Questions:

What is Star?

Who is Star For?

What happens at Star?

What does it cost?

What people say about Star

Bishops

Participants

How can I get the talks?

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